Diesel’s popularity is waning. In the early 2000s, the fuel was viewed as somewhat of a miracle for its stunning blend of high fuel efficiency and low CO2 output. However, the fallout from the Volkswagen dieselgate scandal and growing concern for the health risks of diesel particulate emissions are pushing the fuel out of the showrooms. We think that’s a shame because, in the correct usage case, diesel engines pair exceptionally well with some of the best SUVs on sale.
If you spend most of your time pottering around a busy city, you absolutely should not buy a diesel SUV. Not only would it be inconsiderate to your neighbours, it’d also be a waste of money. Diesel engines need to get up to temperature to operate efficiently – and you’ll never get your engine properly warmed through if you’re only using the car to drive a few miles in stop-start traffic from your home to work and back.
That can end up costing you thousands of pounds in needless maintenance. There’s a filter in a modern diesel SUV’s exhaust which captures some of the harmful particulate emissions and burns them before they exit the exhaust. But the system doesn’t work well when the exhaust is cold so, if you only do lots of short journeys, the filter quickly becomes clogged and your engine is choked by the blockage. You’ll then need to take your car to a mechanic to have the filter cleaned or replaced.
However, if you spend a lot of time on the motorway, a diesel SUV could be perfect for you. Diesel engines offer their best fuel economy on long-distance trips, sometimes even beating the figures claimed by the best hybrid SUVs. Plus, because the engine will be able to get up to temperature, the particulate filter will hold enough heat to clean itself – and the extra torque you get compared to a comparably sized petrol engine makes it far easier to overtake slower-moving traffic from a cruise. Diesel SUVs generally have a higher towing capacity than an equivalent petrol, hybrid or electric model, making them ideal for those often towing a trailer or caravan.
But as we said, diesel SUVs are falling out of fashion, with a range of manufacturers no longer offering its cars with the fuel – Volvo being one of the latest to stop production of diesel cars.
But if you’re a long-distance driver, we highly recommend you opt for one of our best diesel SUVs. Our list below includes something for everyone, from frugal four-cylinder family cars to decadent luxury liners with enough power to drag the moon out of its orbit. Scroll down for some inspiration – and remember to check out our in-depth reviews on each car if you require more information.
Best diesel SUVs for 2024
It’s a Parkers award winner. Need we say more?
The Range Rover is available with a choice of two 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engines – one with 300hp and one with 350hp. They’re both fast, whisper quiet and economical but, if your budget can stretch to it, we recommend you opt for the more powerful unit. Its enormous reserve of low-down grunt gives the car a wonderfully relaxed character.
For a more in-depth look, read our Range Rover review
Pros
- Beyond comfortable
- Seating for up to seven
- Staggering off-road ability
Cons
- Expensive, even for a Rangey
- Wrong image for some people
- Massive size can be tricky in town
Audi's largest SUV is also its best
While the Q7 is now available as a plug-in hybrid, if you do a lot of miles, the diesel versions remain the ones to go for. There's the choice of a 45 TDI and 50 TDI, with each using a turbocharged 3.0-litre engine producing 231hp and 286hp respectively. The latter is worth choosing as it's only marginally more expensive and brings welcome extra performance without compromising fuel economy.
For a more in-depth look, read our Audi Q7 review
Pros
- Seven seats
- High-quality interior
- Superb refinement and comfort
Cons
- Expensive in top trims
- Interior starting to show its age
- Not as lavishly equipped as you might expect
The most highly recommended mid-sized SUV
It's one of only a handful of cars in its class now available with a diesel engine, and it uses the Volkswagen Group's renowned 150hp 2.0-litre TDI unit. It's not the most refined engine but has plenty of torque and should be able to return 50mpg on longer trips. It is now only sold with four-wheel-drive, too.
For a more in-depth look, read our Skoda Karoq review
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Incredibly spacious
- Good fuel economy
Cons
- Not that sharp to drive
- Options quickly inflate prices
- No hybrid powertrains
A delightfully desirable icon, reborn
Land Rover initially offered 2.0-litre engines, but these were quickly discontinued for default 3.0-litre options instead. Our pick is the 250hp 3.0-litre straight-six model, which feels muscular and luxurious. You can choose a more powerful 350hp version if you crave the extra performance, however. The Defender’s weight and four-wheel drive system means the 3.0-litre will struggle to achieve 30mpg in the real world. Don't forget there's the choice of 90, 110 and 130 models, with the latter able to seat eight adults in comfort.
For a more in-depth look, read our Land Rover Defender review
Pros
- Unstoppable off the road
- Good to drive on the road
- Loads of personalisation options
Cons
- Personalised cars cost big money
- Expensive running costs
- A Discovery is more spacious
Mazda’s largest SUV is available with a stellar six-pot diesel
But the CX-60’s biggest selling point is its interior. It’s spacious, well equipped and very high quality, which is impressive considering it costs a good £10,000 less than the equivalent BMW X3. Obviously, you make some compromises. The ride is rather harsh and, at just 477 litres with the boot floor in place, it doesn’t have as much luggage room as the Skoda Karoq.
For a more in-depth look, read our Mazda CX-60 review
Pros
- Powerful engine
- Premium interior
- Affordable (for its class)
Cons
- Choppy ride
- Enormous dimensions
- Monotone interior
Comfortable and dynamic – it’s still a proper BMW
The X5 has also benefitted from a recent facelift, giving it a fresh new face and more modern interior layout, mirroring the rest of the BMW line-up. Whether those two things improve the package will be down to your personal opinion, but what can't be disputed is the X5's spacious, well-made interior and entertaining driving experience. You can choose seven seats as an option, but the rearmost are quite cramped.
For a more in-depth look, read our BMW X5 review
Pros
- One of the best-driving SUVs available
- Smooth and powerful diesel engines
- Stunning interior quality
Cons
- Interior less user-friendly than before
- Seven seats offer little space
- Expensive optional extras
It’s a cut-price South Korean Volvo XC90
Kia’s 2.2-litre diesel engine has 192hp and 440Nm of torque, which is enough to shunt the Sorento from 0–62mph in 9.2 seconds. That’s not bad at all – and that vast amount of torque means it never feels sluggish, even with six passengers and a boot full of luggage on board. What’s more, you can tow up to 2.5 tonnes with the Sorento diesel, which is more than enough for a five-berth caravan. A facelifted version with a smarter exterior and updated interior will arrive later in 2024.
For a more in-depth look, read our Kia Sorento review
Pros
- Seven-seat capacity
- Affordable running costs
- Immensely practical
Cons
- Interior quality could be improved
- No cheaper front-wheel drive option
- Diesel can be quite vocal
A rock-solid choice in a busy marketplace
When Volkswagen updated the T-Roc in 2022, it ditched its aging 1.6-litre diesel engine in favour of the 2.0-litre unit used elsewhere across the Volkswagen Group. It’s available in two states of tune – the entry-level model has 115hp, while the flagship variant churns out 150hp. Both claim strong fuel economy figures, but the 115hp model is the efficiency champion, returning almost 60mpg under official WLTP conditions.
For a more in-depth look, read our Volkswagen T-Roc review
Pros
- Funky paint options
- Low running costs
- Comfortable
Cons
- Firm ride on large wheels
- Not massively spacious
- Can get expensive in high specs
A unique plug-in hybrid diesel SUV
The rest of the GLC is rather hit and miss. We like the car’s cabin, with its crisp infotainment system and pretty ambient lighting system (which even makes the air vents glow), but we’re less impressed by its driving experience. The car’s steering system offers little feedback and its low-speed ride is rather unsettled, although it does smooth out well once you’re up to speed on the motorway. Which, mercifully, is where this car is at its best.
For a more in-depth look, read our Mercedes GLC review
Pros
- It’s a plug-in hybrid diesel!
- High-quality interior
- Attractive infotainment system
Cons
- Fidgety low-speed ride
- Lifeless steering
- Price – it starts at £61,000!
Skoda's largest SUV is still available with diesel power
Skoda appears to be carving itself a niche by being one of only a few mainstream car firms offering a ranger of diesel vehicles. That includes on its new Kodiaq – the firm's flagship SUV, which is just arriving for its second generation. It gets a much more modern design inside and out, while still prioritising comfort, refinement and spaciousness, two areas where its predecessor excelled.
While Skoda will soon be offering a choice of plug-in hybrids, the Kodiaq launches initially with fairly standard petrol and diesel engines. With the latter, it's the VW Group's 2.0-litre TDI unit used once again, with a choice of 150hp or 193hp – the latter also brings four-wheel-drive, but likely isn't necessary unless you need the extra power or regularly head off the beaten track.
For a more in-depth look, read our Skoda Kodiaq review
Pros
- Stylish and user-friendly cabin
- Vast interior space
- Quiet and comfortable
Cons
- Some might find it too big now
- Nothing special to drive
- Not the bargain it once was
Diesel SUVs buyers guide
What is the most efficient diesel SUV?
On paper, it’s the plug-in hybrid-powered Mercedes GLC 300 de. Merc reckons it can return upwards of 700mpg on the WLTP combined cycle – but it’s ludicrous to expect you’ll get anywhere near that figure in the real world. On a long jaunt, you might average around 80mpg if you start with a fully charged battery and make the most of the car’s 80-mile electric range.
What is the best used diesel SUV in the UK?
The Skoda Karoq is a great used buy. Not only is it affordable (you can pick up a high mileage example for less than £10,000), but it’s very practical and incredibly comfortable. Plus, because it’s built using readily available Volkswagen Group parts, it’s easy to maintain. In fact, we think the Karoq is one of the best used family SUVs on the market.
Should I buy a petrol or diesel SUV?
That all depends on how you intend to use your car. If you generally only do local journeys, you’ll be better served by a petrol SUV as they won’t suffer from the diesel particulate filter fault mentioned at the top of this article. But if you cover lots of motorway miles, opt for the diesel. You’ll soon claw back the higher purchase price in fuel savings.
